Blog Archives

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/22/2017

You Tube Tips and Tricks (by Emily at SCLS)

11/20/2017

Is there anyone that doesn't know what YouTube is? There isn't a day goes by that I am not on YouTube watching/listening to something either while I do my hair and makeup in the morning or making dinner at night. If you are anything like me and you watch YouTube videos [more than] you watch regular TV, then you might already know these tips and tricks. If not, here are some tips and tricks that I use when watching YouTube videos.

Loop a video:
Have a song you can't get enough of? YouTube will loop (continuously play) it for you. Simply right click the video and select Loop.

Share a video at a certain time:
Want to share a cute cat video with your friends but the real action doesn't start until 1:00 into the video? No problem, just click Share at the bottom of the video and check the box Start at and enter a time. Then choose how to share the video.

Captions:
Maybe you are waiting in line at Starbucks and you don't have headphones. Turn on the captions! Captions are not available on all videos, but if it is you can click on the CC button on the bottom of the video.

Watch Later:
This is my most used tip for YouTube. Let's say I'm watching a video and on the side of the video player is a couple similar videos I want to watch next. Put your cursor on the thumbnail for the video and an option will appear in the upper right corner that looks like a clock. This will add it to your Watch Later playlist which you can access anytime in the left menu bar of YouTube.

Quick way to pause video:
Almost get caught watching a cat video while at work when your boss walked in? Simply press the space bar on the keyboard to pause the video fast.

Transcript:
Watching a video for educational purposes but missed a quote? You can view a transcript of the video easily. Click on the three dots at the bottom of the video by the share button and select Open Transcript. This displays the captions essentially and time stamps which you can click on to view that part of the video.

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Hour of Code 2017 and Create Your Own Google Doodle

11/7/2017

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Google for Education posted: In preparation for Hour of Code 2017, we’re launching a new activity, which allows students to bring the Google logo to life using code. Take a sneak peek with your students today and design your own fun version of our Google doodle.

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National Author's Day (yesterday - but lots of good stuff)

11/2/2017

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Celebrate National Author's Day (by Sharon Schweitzer from the HuffPost)
November 1 is home to a quiet and important holiday: National Author’s Day. In 1949, the United States Department of Commerce officially recognized the holiday 20 years after Nellie Verne Burt McPherson of the Illinois Women’s Club began pushing for National Author’s Day. The holiday provides a designated time to honor authors. We can do so by writing (or tweeting) a thank-you note to our favorite authors, purchasing new and old books alike, or working on our own writing projects. Enthusiasts encourage use of the hashtag #NationalAuthorsDay.

Both fiction and nonfiction books have the potential to enrich our personal and professional lives on many levels. Here are five priceless gifts we can thank authors for on this holiday:

Broadened Perspective Books contain not only a gold mine of knowledge, but also insight into perspectives besides your own. Reading intercultural guides, such as Access to Asia, or translated foreign novels, such as Cabo de Gata, can introduce you to cultures, lifestyles, and different styles of thinking from all over the globe (without the costly air fare).
Enhanced Interpersonal Skills It’s a well known fact that avid readers build stronger vocabularies. Readers also benefit from enhanced communication and writing skills, as well as benefiting from natural and impressive conversation starters. In professional networking settings, books, especially those with intercultural elements, provide excellent conversation pathways. A passion for reading books shows intellect and dynamism.
Improved Focus In today’s internet-run world, many are used to instant gratification. We can scroll through ten “clickbait” articles in 5 minutes while simultaneously flipping through Instagram and Pinterest notifications, not truly dedicating our minds to any of these tasks. Focusing our attention on a printed novel takes us away from the busy digital world, forces us to concentrate, and boosts our ability to focus and reject distractions.
Self Care For many, self care consists of watching a few Netflix episodes before bed or Skyping a distant friend. While these activities are excellent stress reducers, they still tie us to a device. CNN reports that the average American spends over 10 hours a day looking at a digital screen. Books provide a relaxing and intellectually stimulating outlet that gives your eyes a break from screen time.
Internal Reflection When we focus on a printed book, the numerous buzzing distractions that we’re typically surrounded by disappear. It’s just you and the book. Reading novels allows us to work our imagination muscles and create a world inside our heads. This personal time helps us discover both a new story and a better understanding of ourselves.

The list of gifts authors provide us goes on—this is far from a comprehensive account of the various ways books enrich our lives. Professionals, students, and retirees alike can celebrate #NationalAuthorsDay on November 1 by tweeting a “thank you” at their favorite author.

Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is a cross-cultural trainer, modern manners expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE centre, she serves as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. She is the resident etiquette expert on two popular lifestyle shows: ABC Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend and CBS Austin’s We Are Austin. She is regularly quoted by BBC Capital, Investor’s Business Daily, Fortune, and the National Business Journals. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, now in its third printing, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2015. She’s a winner of the British Airways International Trade Award at the 2016 Greater Austin Business Awards.

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